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Your First System

This should be good!!! Most of us have been in this expensive hobby for years now and have worked our way up to components we only dreamed of. I want to know what was your first system of separate components going back as far as you can remember. My first consisted of a Pioneer SX-680 receiver, a Technics SLD-1 turntable (I think that's the right model #), a Sharp tapedeck, and KLH floorstanding speakers. I was 16 at the time and thought I was the biggest badass on the block. Now, 20+ years later I have a ML 334, Meridian 507 CD, CJ PV10A, Canton Ergo 900 speakers, and a Transparent Power Isolator 4. I'm in the process of upgrading to a ML 390. It goes without saying the IC's and speaker cables are top notch as well. I know my system is WAAAYYYYY down the foodchain compared to what I've seen here but It would be interesting to see what everyone started out with.
pcook15
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
A radio shack receiver purchased when I was a teen. It had brushed silver face with very thin horizontal window spanning the chasis. Functions were indicated by red lights. I'd give anything to have it back again.
I had spent my last dollar or two to get it, and I didn't have any money for speakers. So, I ripped apart a couple of old console stereos, took the naked 10" full range drivers and used them as my first speaker system.
That was 25 years ago! I'm still cobbling together systems, but the components are a bit better now.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
No, wait. I remember a Lloyd's all in one stereo, with the turntable built on the top of a rather large receiver base. One day it began smoking. Led to the purchase of the Radio shack and discovery of "separates".
aroc
760 posts
 
1999, I was 21, Eosone RSF-600 speakers, Aiwa A/V receiver and Aiwa CD changer. Boy those were fun days. My first upgrade over a boombox.

Got an Audio Alchemy preamp and amp and Adcom DAC in early 2001. I got to learn what a SOUNDSTAGE was. Holy sh!t.
Got a better DAC (which I still have) and Wharfedales off of uBid.com in early 2002. Then got a tube preamp, tube amp, acoustat electrostats in late 2002. Got into vinyl in 2003. Got front projection in 2004. Now I'm running maggies.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
1954. Garrard manual TT, GE phono pickup (mono with "flip over" 33 and 78 rpm stylii), Heathkit 20 watt integrated amplifier, Wharfedale 8" driver (full range, with floppy flannel cloth surround and strong magnet) in homemade corner enclosure. That driver would be good today.
michaela
314 posts
 
1979 - Yamaha CA 600 integrated amp, Pioneer HPM 40 speakers, Yamaha T-550 Tuner and Pioneer PL51xx turntable (don't remember which model in that series). I loved that system and actually still have it all except the Pioneer turntable which my wife dropped in our driveway the day we were moving from our first house :(
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